im trying to put together a decent engine for a good price, so how does this sound...
i can get a freshly rebuilt 350 bottom end, dirt cheap, like i just have to take my boy out and get him drunk and thats it. money is VERY tight right now so i was thinking of putting on 305 heads (from an LG4 and from what i hear all 305 heads are the same), a good cam, like an XE 262 cam and roller rockers, and ofcourse manifold, carb, exhaust, yadayada....will this turn out to be a decent motor? i figure i can put it alltogether for $500+- and i just need to get this damn car running but i want some decent power. will these heads really restrict power that much? im hoping for 250horses after all this, is it possible?

 

Not all 305 heads are the same, but LG4 heads are good. However, they aren't typically bolt-ons for a 350. Typically, 1.94" intake valves and some mild porting work (clean-up of the ports/bowls under the valves) is required. However, they can do okay without that if you're willing to sacrifice some performance.

Roller rockers would be a waste of scarce money. Roller tips, maybe. Your money would be much better spent on new valve springs and positive-type valve stem seals, which would require cutting down the top of the valve guides. This all would insure the heads are capable of the added lift that cam would provide.

This all assumes the 350 shortblock has pistons that wouldn't send compression sky-high with the smaller chambers of the 305 heads. Dished pistons are typically required, or thick head gaskets (not as good a choice, but better than compression that's too high).

250 gross flywheel HP is an easily obtainable goal with good exhaust (which will cost at least $500).

Personally, getting someone drunk doesn't seem like a good way to get an engine. But, I'm strange that way, I suppose.

 

i disagree about the rockers. use the stockers b/c the roller tips don't give you near the increase that the roller fulcrums do. also, getting someone drunk can be a great way to get a motor.... i have 3 that way. be advised, though....... if a good bender is all it takes for him to part with the motor, it may not be that great of a motor.

 

When someone is talking about a $500 budget for an engine swap, spending half of that on roller rockers doesn't make a lick of sense.

 

I agree 100%. especially not roller tips. besides that, you'll honestly spend $500 on stuff to put the motor in the car..... gaskets, mounts, fluids, odds and ends..... plan this out thoroughly.

 

250 flywheel? thats it?

with $500 if you get the engine free, $500 is a good deal.

Get a set of heads that are worth your while, surf the classified board. Lots of people have heads there that will work for your situation.

a good cam? XE262, its a nice cam a good ramp rate. IT sure leaves room for improvment, but not too much once you take off the burden, unported 305 heads. My only problem with the cam is its way too peaky. The torque curve, reminds me or a g meter on a roller coaster.

Roller rockers, your kidding yourself, there is no purpose.

Intake/Carb? For less then $500 total? I hope you have a carb already and are getting a better intake. ]

Exhaust is always a must. But when your goal is 250 horses, the stock exhaustis well capable of flowing 250 horses, you'll just be deprived of it ability. Keep your manifolds if you can, and just get a nice flowing cat back cheap. also check your local classified, guys around here sell slp's for 4th gens all the time for $150.


tho 250 @4500rpm is very possible with that setup.

like i said shop around.

-You can get a set of heads for $100(heck i have 2 sets for sale right now)
-Shop for a cam that suits your current and future needs, you'll be ating it when you get that cam and find it starves for power everywhere except up high(i have a edelbrock performer RPM cam, used very little 12k good condition but its power range is up at 6500)
-ditch the roller rockers, you might get 3 hp from them, at most. Not worth the $150 of your budget.
-for an intake performer RPM seems like a good carb manifold. Check ebay, $100 isn't very hard to find.
-exhaust, well this is just too blaitant for me to fully explain. Exhaust is important, your worried about flowing heads when your exhaust cant get the air out. There's something wrong there. Check ebay and local classified.

With better flowing heads, and an exhaust that flows, with a matching cam, 325hp @ 5000rpm isn't hard to get in anyway.... if you get the block dirt cheap or free, $500 can set the rest up pretty easily..

Have fun man, engine swaps are always a journey.